O.T. Johnson's, 'The Big Store,' opened a century ago

Monday, January 23, 2006

BY TOM WILSON

For The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - In 1856, businessman O.T. Johnson came to Galesburg from Altona and worked at Sage and Reed as a clerk. In 1862, he bought the business and launched the store that would bear his name.

The original structure was a two-story building less than 40 feet wide that contained wooden awnings shading planked boardwalks. Iron railings and hitching posts lined the street.

The current three-story structure was completed in 1904. The arcade type interior had glass enclosed specialty shops. One of the upper floors contained home furnishings, Oriental rugs, brass beds and brocade draperies. Other areas contained books, hardware and a soda fountain.

In 1909 the five-story annex building was constructed to the rear of the building facing Ferris Street. With the addition, O.T.'s was known as "The Big Store," and was considered the largest department store in the Midwest south of Chicago.

The father of future President Ronald Reagan was employed in the shoe department of O.T.'s in the early years of the last century. Jack Reagan had moved his family to Galesburg where both Ronald and his brother attended first and second grades at Silas Willard School. Galesburg poet Carl Sandburg made several speeches at O.T.'s and conducted book signings there.

The annex was turned over to Gross Overall Factory in 1929 and the main store closed in 1978.